Fall Crafts for Kids

Fall is a wonderful time of year. It is also a great time of year to engage your children in art and crafts that will be entertaining and educational. With a few ordinarly supplies that can be found around the home or at the local craft store, it is easy to plan interesting crafts that your kids will enjoy.

During the fall months, leaves change colors and fall off of trees. Once the leaves have begun to fall off of the trees, take your child on a nature walk and encourage him/her to gather leaves that they find interesting. Small leaves, large leaves, orange leaves or yellow leaves. Place the leaves in a bag or basket for later use. Once inside, cut a large tree trunk shape from brown cardstock paper or cardboard. You will want this paper to be somewhat thick for support. Have your child glue the leaves onto the tree shape, at the top where leaves are found.

Apples are a favorite fruit of the fall season. Not only can you make apple pie with apples, you can also make apple prints! Slice an apple in half and leave the core in. Gather three paper plates and put red, green and yellow paint onto the plates. Spread the paint around the plate to form a thin layer. Place the apple core-side down onto the paint. Make sure the apple has a thin coat of paint across the entire surface. Gently press the apple down onto white construction or cardstock paper. You should be able to see the imprint of the apple's shape, core and possibly seeds. Let the paper dry thoroughly before hanging for show!

On a large sheet of carboard, draw a scarecrow shape and cut out. With adult help, cut large pieces of light-weight fabric to fit the scarecrow's design. Denim-look cotton works well for overalls. Use hay, straw or yarn for the hair, neck, arms and feet. Super glue the pieces down to the carboard. Attach a large yard stake to the back of the scarecrow for a craft you can display in your yard the entire season!

Let your child make a festive, turkey potholder that can be used during this season of baking! Purchase a white or cream colored fabric pot holder from your local craft store. You can use fabric paint or fabric markers for this craft. Trace your child's hand onto the potholder with a fabric marker. Encourage your child to either paint or color the handprint in to resemble turkey feathers. She can color or paint the palm area of her hand brown to resemble the turkey body. Once the feathers have been painted, eyes, feet, a beak and a gobbler can be added. Allw to dry thoroughly before washing or using.

Create a fall wreath by purchasing a styrofoam wreath form from the local craft store. Buy a garland of fall covered leaves, a few miniature pumpkins and anything else that you like that is fall related. Encourage your child to go outside and collect acorns for the wreath as well. With adult help, use a hot glue gun to attach the fall items to the wreath. Once the wreath is dry, hang for display!